The Take Off Merlin is a German ultralight trike, designed and produced by Take Off GmbH of Hamm. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]
| Merlin | |
|---|---|
| Role | Ultralight trike |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Take Off GmbH |
| Introduction | 1994 |
| Status | In production (2018) |
| Produced | 1994-present |
Design and development edit
The Merlin was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The aircraft features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit with a cockpit fairing, tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]
The aircraft is made from welded stainless steel tubing, with its double surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 10 m (32.8 ft) span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame weight-shift control bar. The powerplants are various BMW motorcycle engines that vary by model.[1]
A number of different wings can be fitted to the basic carriage, including the Drachen Studio Avent and Air Creation iXess .[1]
Variants edit
- Merlin 100
- Initial version introduced in 1994[2]
- Merlin 1100
- Model introduced in 1998 and powered by a four-stroke, 90 hp (67 kW) BMW 1100 RS engine. The 1100 has an empty weight of 195 kg (430 lb) and a gross weight of 400 kg (882 lb), giving a useful load of 205 kg (452 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload is 162 kg (357 lb).[1][2]
- Merlin 1200
- Model introduced in 2006 and powered by a four-stroke, 95 hp (71 kW) BMW 1200 GS engine. The 1200 has an empty weight of 230 kg (507 lb) and a gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb), giving a useful load of 220 kg (485 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload is 177 kg (390 lb).[1][2]
Specifications (Merlin 1200) edit
Data from Bayerl[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Wingspan: 10.0 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 15.2 m2 (164 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 230 kg (507 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × BMW 1200 GS four stroke motorcycle engine, 71 kW (95 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed composite
Performance
- Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
- Cruise speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
- Stall speed: 55 km/h (34 mph, 30 kn)
- Rate of climb: 5 m/s (980 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 29.6 kg/m2 (6.1 lb/sq ft)